Saturday, June 5, 2010
Tri training- open water
The sun glistened on the gentle wrinkles of the lake; the cool water enveloped me as I walked in. The visibility of the shallows was deceivingly inviting, as I began to swim out. As the bottom sloped away so did the clarity, I feel my chest start to tighten as if someone is pulling the cords of a corset. I can’t breathe; a wave of panic takes hold. Pop your head-up find the shore I tell myself, calm down it will be o-k. I relax a little, my lungs loosen. Concentrate now; stroke- stroke breathe, stroke- stroke breathe. Just keep going don’t worry about speed, half way there now I tell myself. Just keep it up, stroke stroke breath the mantra repeating in my head. There is the dock, just keep going. Now I can see the bottom again, here come the shallows, just a bit further. Two more strokes stand up and I’m back deep breath.
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Is this something that just came to you or did this happen to you? You drew me in. At first I felt calm myself and then realized things weren't going well. I immediately remember a time when I was 4 or 5 when this happened to me, except I couldn't swim back to shore. The water was so clear that I could see an adult from shore run in to swoop me up. This is definitely a poem/story that leaves someone asking questions.
ReplyDeleteThis was an account of my training, I am participating in a Triathalon this weekend and have recently switched form the pool to area lakes. Never have been a strong swimmer, but the pool is easy enough to deal with. But the lakes are a whole different all game. Tonight we went to the sound and did a salt water swim, ugh. The visibility thing is killign me.
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